It is estimated that 3 million people in the U.S. are homeless: 20% are veterans, 25% are children, 30% have experienced domestic violence, and 20-25% are mentally ill. Our campaign against hunger and homelessness culminated in four events during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week from November 16th to the 22nd, 2003 with the support of a coalition of other organizations: Students in Action for Ann Arbor in Need (SAAAN), Changing Ann Arbor Around, Habitat for Humanity, The International Hunger Project.
The Hunger Banquet
-Through ticket sales to The Hunger Banquet, we raised over $300 for Food Gatherers, a local group devoted to providing food to those in need. This event illustrated the maldistribution of food in the world by assigning participants to three different groups: a small group received a large, fancy meal, a larger sized group received rice and beans, and the majority of participants received just bread and rice.
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Awareness Day
-PIRGIM, as well as the rest of the coalition distributed information on the problem of hunger and homelessness and ways to help out, with awesome background music provided by local ska band, King Mob
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Screening of "Listen"
-Many students came to view this documentary made by RC alumni Elisha Wolfe and John Mathias on homelessness in Ann Arbor. Afterwards, John facilitated a discussion on people's reactions to the documentary.
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Day of Action
-Numerous eager U of M students donated four hours of their Sunday providing community service for various local organizations that provide services to those in need in Ann Arbor
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In addition, many PIRGIM students have begun volunteering bimonthly at the new shelter on Huron. Throughout the winter months, the shelter provides a "warming center" for anyone who needs somewhere to stay out of the cold for the night. Without the help of volunteers, this life saving program would not be able to run.
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